At the end of litigation, the unsuccessful party is usually ordered to pay part of the legal fees of the winning party. The ever-present threat of having to pay costs to the winning party can act as a powerful disincentive for making groundless or unsubstantiated claims. The risk of being on the wrong end of…
As 2020 draws to a close, the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel is in sight. Two vaccines have been approved and thousands of Ontarians have been vaccinated. However, the pandemic has not yet abetted and is potentially entering its most dangerous phase. The Superior Court of Justice is doing its part to…
For many, the greatest loves of their lives are their furry (or scaly) friends. As a result, there is often a strong desire to make sure they are properly cared for after the testator’s death. How to accomplish this is not always straightforward. In Ontario, animals are considered personal property. This means that you can…
This blog was written by Tyler Lin, Student-At-Law As all litigators know, there are two sides to every story. In the world of estate litigation, it is not uncommon for one side to view themselves as an invited guest entitled to remain in the family home while the other side views them as a squatter….
Many Canadians collect loyalty points with hopes of redeeming the points for various rewards including free air travel, hotels, gas, groceries, and cash. This year with international travel interrupted by COVID-19, many people’s plans to redeem their travel points have been put on hold. Other Canadians have amassed large collections of points over the years…
Much has been written about the importance of making a Will to ensure your estate is administered in accordance with your wishes, and benefits those whom you wish to inherit your property. However, your choice of executor, or estate trustee, as the role is now called in Ontario, is just as critical. Your estate trustee…
It is not uncommon for individuals to name a family member or a good friend as the executor (referred to as “estate trustee” in Ontario) of their estate. However, acting as an executor is not always an easy or enviable task; in fact, many executors come to rue the day they ever agreed to act….
Almost three years ago today, billionaire couple Barry and Honey Sherman were found murdered in their North York mansion. Their murderer(s) remain at large. In an unusual move, their probate files were sealed to protect the safety, privacy and dignity of the trustees and beneficiaries of their estates. This decision was appealed and now the…
This blog was written by Tyler Lin, student-at-law In the Quebec case of Adoption – 091, Dubois J. made reference to the Latin maxim: “Mater semper certa est, pater incertus,” which means: the mother is always certain, but the father, uncertain. This phrase sums up the historical treatment of paternity before the relatively recent advent…
In Canada, every person is afforded certain protections in the event they get divorced. For example, there are statutes in place to help determine how the couple will divide their property and whether one of them is entitled to child support or spousal support (and what amount). However, not every couple in a committed, long-term…